When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? Depending on your answer, you may want to run to your makeup bag and get on that pronto.
Turns out, you need to be cleaning your makeup brushes once every week if possible (two weeks maximum). Otherwise, those makeup tools can collect much more than just makeup particles.
A study by the Journal of Applied Microbiology tested various used makeup products and tools and found that 70% to 90% of them had been contaminated with fungus and bacteria, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
The bacteria often found in dirty makeup brushes, paired with dirt, oil, and makeup buildup, can lead to breakouts and, in some cases, dermatitis. Not only that, but all that grime can make the bristles of the hair stiff, creating a patchy and streaky makeup application.
Giving those makeup brushes a deep clean every week is highly recommended, especially if you use those tools on a daily basis. You can do so with a brush cleaner designed to cleanse makeup tools. Or a sulfate-free shampoo or even dish soap will work too.
Make sure you rinse the brushes thoroughly after coating the bristles and let them dry on a flat towel with the bristles hanging over the ledge of a countertop. This will ensure all the bristles dry properly.
Now that those brushes are dry, you’ll want to store them in a clean place. Check out this complete step-by-step guide to makeup organization to keep those brushes sparkly clean and organized.
